Farmers Markets and Temporary Events

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State of Washington Business License

• All businesses are required to register their trade name and obtain a state business license prior to operating in Washington state.

City of Seattle Business License

• If operating in Seattle, every business in Seattle is required to have a City of Seattle business license. Apply online, in person or by mail.
• If operating outside of the City of Seattle, other City specific business license may be required. Check with each City individually for this requirement. 

Farmers Markets and Other Events

• Please see the Helpful Links below for more information on the different events that take place in Seattle as well as farmers markets in the Puget Sound area.
• Each farmers market and temporary event has it's own requirements for participation in addition to the requirements and regulations listed on this page and it is important to check with each one to determine if there is available space for your business and to get more information about their application guidelines and insurance requirements for participating.
• If you plan on participating in a farmers market, please note that many of the farmers markets start in the April/May time frame and run through October and spaces are limited and fill up quickly, so it is important to begin planning and discussing with farmers markets early on in the process.  
• If you plan on participating in any of the farmers markets in Seattle, please note that it is a requirement that your food business sources ingredients from Washington state farms. Farmers markets located outside of Seattle may have different requirements.

PHSKC Temporary Food Business Permit For Vendors Participating in Farmers Markets or Other Events

• Visit King County's Temporary Food Service Business Permit page to learn about the different types of temporary event permits you can apply for.

• See the Temporary Food Establishment Guidelines & Fee Schedules to learn more about the application process and temporary food service requirements.

• Temporary Event Permits also include partcipation in farmers markets and each farmers market is considered as one event. For example, if you are participating every Wednesday in a farmers market that runs from April to October, that is considered as one event under King County's Temporary Event Permit. 

• If you are operating at a farmers market or temporary event in King County from your mobile food truck, trailer, or cart AND you have a King County Mobile Food Service Business permit, you do not need to apply for a King County Temporary Event permit. However, if you are operating outside of your mobile food operation and setting up a booth/tent/stall, you will need to apply for a temporary event permit.

• If you have plan on operating at farmers markets and temporary events outside of King County, please check with the local county health department as you may need to apply for a temporary event permit in each local jurisdiction. 

• If you have already been permitted by the WSDA and/or the USDA, you may still need a Temporary Food Service Business permit from King County if you are doing retail sales or providing taste testing. Call the King County Plan Examiners to check your specific situation.

• Applications must be submitted at least two (2) weeks before the start of the event or farmers market.

WSDA Licenses for Wholesale Products and Low-Risk Foods

The Washington State Department of Agriculture licenses only apply to food businesses who are planning to wholesale their products (Food Processor License) or food businesses who plan to make low-risk foods in their home kitchens and sell directly to consumers (Cottage Food License) 

•  A Food Processor License is required if you plan to wholesale your food products (selling to grocery stores, cafes, other vendors who plan to resell your product)
  • To see if you need a Food Processor license, please see visit the WSDA's Food Processor page. 
  • See the Food Processor Application to see the requirements for becoming a licensed food processor 
  • If you process food that contains more than 2% cooked or 3% raw USDA meat ingredients by weight, you will need to be approved by the USDA. 

• A Cottage Food License is required if you plan to use your home kitchen to make and sell low-risk food directly to consumers.
  • See the list of allowable and non-allowable foods under this license.    
  • See the Cottage Food License Application to see the requirements for becoming a cottage food business operator. ·     
  • This license does not allow you to wholesale your products.
  • This is the only license that permits you to use your home kitchen to cook allowable foods on a commercial basis.
  • There is a $25,000 gross sales limit under this license.

Please note that you may still need a Temporary Food Service Business permit from King County if you are doing retail sales or providing taste testing. Call the King County Plan Examiners to check your specific situation.

USDA Approval For Wholesale Products Containing Meat

A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval is required for food businesses who are planning to wholesale their products AND their food product contains more than 2% cooked or 3% raw USDA meat ingredients by weight.

•  If you need to be approved by the USDA, you will need to apply and request for a Federal Grant of Inspection through the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS).

• See FSIS' Resources for Small and Very Small Plants and Producers for more information. 

• Please note that you may still need a Temporary Food Service Business Permit from King County if you are doing retail sales or providing taste testing. Call the King County Plan Examiners to check your specific situation.

SFD Permits For Food Booths

SFD Permits for Farmers Market Organizers (Assembly Permit)

Farmers’ market organizers must receive a free assembly permit (code 2500-FM) from SFD if the farmers’ market alters existing exit configurations or fire lanes.  

SFD Permits for Food Vendors (LPG/Propane Permits)

Any vendor who is planning to cook food onsite at a farmers market using propane or briquettes/open flame requires a permit. There is a choice of permits with different duration and costs depending on your needs, including 2500-LPG, 8206-FVH (non-mobile booths), 8206-TRK (food trucks), 8206-RGL (food trucks with regional inspection), or 8207 (single event).

Public Health - Seattle & King County

• Once you have an approved King County Temporary Food Service Business Permit, King County health inspectors will come to inspect your operation during the time of the farmers market or event.    

Washington State Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture

• If you need additional permitting or approval from the WSDA and USDA, you would need to be inspected before being able to participate in a farmers market or temporary event. Inspection times vary depending on the type of permit or license you are getting. Please check with those agencies for their inspection process and timeline. 

If you plan on hiring employees, learn more about how you need to register, train and keep your employees safe by visiting our Final Prep page.

Congratulations! You're ready to open! Visit our You're in Business page to keep up to date with your ongoing business obligations.